Method and apparatus for inhibiting shipping fever in livestock and improving digestibility of consumed feed

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for starting cattle on feed quicker, promoting fill, regaining shrink and help prevent the occurrence of shipping fever complex and promote digestibility and utilization of feedstuffs within the digestive system of ruminant animals, particularly cattle. In a presently preferred embodiment, the inventive method comprises the steps of: producing a gaseous mixture supply of ozone and nitrous oxide gases from ambient air; effecting direct contact between the ozone/nitrous oxide gas mixture and a supply of water by means of a bubbler device to produce a prescribed hydrogen peroxide-nitrous oxide content; continuing said contact between the ozone gas supply and the water supply until the content of hydrogen peroxide-nitrous oxide in water supply is within a range of from about 1,000 parts per million to about 40,000 parts per million; and providing the resultant water supply for use as feed water to the animal to be treated. Accordingly, by consumption of the unique resultant solution, the treated animal has been found to have increased digestibility and utilization of feed and such treatment has found to promote normal rumen function, and inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms thus inhibiting cattle disease such as shipping fever.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method for inhibiting shipping fever in livestock and improving digestibility of consumed feed, said method comprising the steps of: producing a gaseous mixture supply of ozone and nitrous oxide gas from ambient air;   effecting direct contact between said gaseous mixture and a supply of water to produce a solution of hydrogen peroxide/nitrous oxide content in said water;   continuing said contact between said gaseous mixture and said water supply until the content of hydrogen peroxide and nitrous oxide in said water supply is within a range of from about 1,000 parts per million to 40,000 parts per million; and   providing the resultant water supply for use as feed water to the animal to be treated.   
     
     
       2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said method further comprises the step of allowing said animal to be further treated by inhalation of excess gaseous vapors from said water supply in a confined environment for at least two hours per day. 
     
     
       3. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein said gaseous mixture of ozone gas and nitrous oxide gas is produced by an ozone generator cell. 
     
     
       4. The method as defined in claim 3 wherein said gaseous mixture of ozone gas and nitrous oxide is effected by two or more generator cells sequentially connected to produce said gaseous supply. 
     
     
       5. A method of inhibiting shipping fever in livestock and improving digestibility of consume feed, said method comprising the steps of: (a) producing a gaseous mixture supply of ozone and nitrous oxide gas from ambient air;   (b) effecting direct contact between said gaseous mixture derived from step (a) and a supply of water by means of a bubbler device to produce a solution of hydrogen peroxide/nitrous oxide content in said supply of water;   (c) continuing said contact between said gaseous mixture and said water supply until the content of hydrogen peroxide and nitrous oxide in said water supply is within a range of from about 1,000 parts per million to 40,000 parts per million; and   (d) providing the resultant water supply from step (c) for use as feed water to the animal to be treated.